Geneva Motor Show 2019: Audi to showcase Q5, A6, A7 and A8 plug-in hybrid variants

- Audi A8, A7 Sportback, A6 and Q5 plug-in hybrid variants to be showcased at 2019 Geneva Motor Show

- Will be available to order across the European markets in the months to come

- New plug-in hybrid models carry the ‘TFSI e’ signet 

- The ‘etron’ label will be reserved exclusively for electrically driven cars

German luxury car manufacturer, Audi has revealed its plans to introduce plug-in-hybrid versions of the A8, A7 Sportback, A6 and the Q5 soon. The cars will be showcased at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show and will offer an electric range of more than 40kms in the WLTP cycle. Depending on the model series, customers can choose between the comfort variant and performance variant with a sporty design. The plug-in-hybrid models will be available to order across the European markets in the months to come.

Going forward, the new plug-in hybrid models will carry the “TFSI e” sign. On the other hand, the “etron” label will remain reserved exclusively for electrically driven cars. The company claims that the hybrid drive concept has been designed to cover a third of the customer’s usual routes in the electric-only mode in day-to-day driving conditions. The new plug-in-hybrids by Audi use a turbocharged gasoline engine with direct injection that works together with an electric motor that is integrated with the transmission. The electrical energy is supplied by the lithium-ion battery located beneath the luggage compartment. The electric motor supports the combustion engine during acceleration, thereby resulting in powerful acceleration and better start start-off performance. 

The lithium-ion batteries for the A6, A7 and A8 are made up of 104 pouch cells, which are divided into eight modules. It stores 14.1kWh of energy at a voltage of 385 V. The lithium-ion battery in the Q5 comprises of prismatic cells and has the same capacity. In each case, the cooling circuit of the battery is integrated with the low-temperature circuit, which supplies power to the electric motor and further powers electronics. The powered electronics transform the direct current of the high voltage battery into a three-phase current for the electric motor; and when recuperating, it does the exact opposite. The standard heat pump ensures efficient vehicle climate control and can generate up to 3kW of heat energy from the 1kW of electrical energy generated using the waste heat in the vehicle. The plug-in hybrid models have the following drive modes: ‘EV’, ‘Auto’, and ‘Hold’. 

The Audi A8 with plug-in hybrid drive has a combustion engine and a synchronous motor as an electric motor. Together, it is integrated with the clutch in the eight-gear Tiptronic, which passes the torque to the Quattro permanent all-wheel drive. The luxury liner drives as a 5.3-meter long A8 L variant with an extended wheelbase. 

On the other hand, the Audi A7 and the A6 models with plug-in hybrid drive use the same powertrain. The battery capacity is identical to that of the Audi A8 PHEV. Together with the electric motor that is integrated with the dual clutch transmission, a gasoline engine ensures that there is ample output and torque. Both models are available in two output levels with different boost performance.

The powertrain in the Audi Q5 PHEV follows the same concept as the Audi A6 and A7.